Below is a brief orientation to Glacier Park and surrounding areas to help you navigate. Abbott Valley and your rental are 8 miles from West Glacier, the western entry point to Glacier Park. It takes about ten minutes to make the trip. The park has one road that goes through it, west to east, and that is the spectacular, winding, narrow, stunningly steep highway called the Going-to-the-Sun Road, abbreviated GTTSR or GTSR. Consult www.nps.gov/glac for road conditions, vehicle entry requirements, size of trailers and RVs allowed, construction, trail closures, and other park related information.
GETTING FROM THE WEST SIDE TO THE EAST SIDE: There are two choices the first is the GTSR which is 50 miles from West Glacier to the east entrance at St. Mary’s. An average driver can complete the trip in approximately two hours, assuming there are no stops or traffic delays. Of course, that’s not likely to happen from mid-June to mid-September, so plan accordingly. A major point of interest and trailhead for several hikes, is the Visitor Center at the highest point called Logan Pass, elevation 6,646 ft. The lot fills very early. Free shuttles from Apgar to St. Mary’s are available with plenty of stops in between, but busy, busy in summer. Red Bus Tours on historic Red Buses are also available.
The second route to the east side is Highway 2, which follows the southern edge of Glacier Park, to East Glacier, the drop-off point for Two Medicine adventures. Continue north on SR 49 and SR 89 to the east entrance at St. Mary’s. Travel time is also about 2 hours.
Think of Glacier Park as roughly divided into four parts, or quadrants, with the Continental Divide forming the East and West halves, and the GTSR dividing the Park, North and South.
ITINERARIES
Guests on a family friendly, two or three day trip to Glacier, typically travel the GTSR, take a boat ride on one of the spectacular glacial lakes: McDonald Lake, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary’s Lake or Swiftcurrent at Many Glacier Lodge. Hike a trail or two and perhaps go for a river rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, and call it good – which is a great trip. To help you personalize your adventure, we provide in our Guest Books official Park maps with trails, mileage and elevation to help you find that perfect hike to fit your interest and level of fitness. This allows guests to confidently create itineraries from family friendly trails to very strenuous hikes. Below are a couple of trail suggestions.
BEGINNER: Avalanche Lake (5.9 miles round-trip)
Starting near Lake McDonald, this trail is perfect for families or casual hikers. The 730-foot elevation gain leads through a cedar-hemlock forest to a turquoise lake framed by waterfalls and cliffs. The trail’s gentle grade and stunning payoff make it a must-do for first-timers, with opportunities to spot deer and other wildlife along the creek. Expect crowds in summer, so start early to secure parking.
INTERMEDIATE: Highline Trail (11.8 miles one-way, strenuous but scenic)
Beginning at Logan Pass, this trail follows the Garden Wall, offering breathtaking views of the Park’s peaks and valleys. With 2,600 feet of total elevation gain, it’s a full-day adventure, often paired with the Granite Park Chalet as a destination (7.7 miles one-way). Highlights include wildflower meadows, possible grizzly sightings, and a thrilling section along a narrow ledge (handrails provided). Hikers can reurn via the loop Trail to catch the shuttle back to Logan Pass, making it a 12-mile loop. Start very early, bring plenty of water.
ADVANCED: Bearhat Mountain or Ptarmigan Tunnel (11.3 – 14 miles round-trip)
For seasoned hikers, Bearhat Mountain (via Hidden Lake Overlook trail, 10.3 miles) offers a challenging scramble to a summit with 360-degree views of Hidden Lake and surrounding peaks. The off-trail portion requires route-finding skills and caution of loose rock. Alternatively, Ptarmigan Tunnel (10.6 miles round-trip from Many Glacier) ascends 2,300 feet to a historic tunnel blasted through a cliff, revealing Redgap Pass and distant lakes. The trail is steep but rewarding, with chances to see bighorn sheep. Both trails require bear spray, sturdy boots, and weather awareness, as high-altitude conditions can change rapidly.
INTINERARY BUILDER. Find a trail that fits your capability, pack a lunch, add an afternoon lake tour, add up the miles and make a plan. Substitute a river rafting trip for a lake tour. Or just sight see. To see more of the park than most tourists, try visiting different sections and plan hiking trips around the lakes. Until you get more familiar with the terrain this is a great way to begin to explore Glacier Park! Hiking in Glacier demands preparation: check trail conditions on the NPS website, carry bear spray, take plenty of water and food, have a Plan B if trouble arrives! Those are the basics!!
TRAVEL TIMES:
FROM ABBOTT VALLEY TO GLACIER PARK POINTS OF INTEREST
West Glacier 10 minutes
Apgar 15 min – Lake McDonald
Logan Pass 1.5 hours (GTSR)
East Glacier 1.5 hours – Hwy 2 (Two Medicine Lakes)
Two Medicine 1.75 – Hwy 2
St. Mary’s 2 hours -GTSR and Hwy 2 (St. Mary’s Lake)
Many Glacier 2.5 – GTSR and Hwy 2
HOW FAR? FROM ABBOTT VALLEY TO FLATHEAD VALLEY TOWNS AND BEYOND
Hungry Horse 5 min – Groceries, restaurants
Columbia Falls 20 min – Groceries, restaurants, breweries
Whitefish 35 min – Groceries, restaurants, shopping, Whitefish Mountain
Kalispell 45 min – Groceries, restaurants, malls, museums, art galleries
Glacier Park Intn’l Airport (FCA) 30 min – 4170 US Hwy 2, Kalispell, Mt
Missoula 3.5 hours – Flights
Spokane 4.5 hours – Flights
West Yellowstone 8 hours – Go for a twofer – Many guests visit Yellowstone then drive to Glacier.